If you were cold and aloof in your past life, why are you crying in this one?

"Young Master Wang?" Pei Yu called out again.

"Okay." He said calmly, "Bring me paper and pen."

Pei Yu was overjoyed and immediately ordered people to prepare paper and ink.

The servant brought over a Duan inkstone, a Huzhou writing brush, and a sheet of fine Xuan paper.

Wang Jue stood up, walked to the table, dipped his brush in ink, and began to write with his wrist suspended.

After writing the four characters, he put down his pen and took a step back.

Pei Yu leaned closer to look, "Young Master Wang's calligraphy truly lives up to its reputation. The strength and style of this brushstroke—"

Everyone stepped forward to taste it, and they all praised it highly.

Wang Jue stepped back, casually sipping his tea. "I just heard Mr. Pei mention the lack of a scholar in the Confucian classics category. I wonder if there's been any progress?"

Pei Yu sighed, stroking his beard with a worried expression: "To be honest, Young Master Wang, what our academy lacks most right now is a teacher to lecture on the classics. Headmaster Gu has been worrying about this for a long time. He wanted to invite you before, but you have already taken up a high-ranking position in the central government, and we really dare not bother you lightly."

"In Jiankang city, learned men are plentiful, yet we can't find a single one capable of expounding on the classics?"

"The difficulty lies in—" Pei Yu paused, "These disciples all like young teachers. But among the young people, how many are so learned and talented? A few days ago, Headmaster Gu asked a few people, but those who were learned thought the academy was too remote, and those who were willing to come lacked the necessary knowledge. So, it's been delayed until now."

Wang Jue's gaze lingered for a moment.

"The study at our academy is a matter of great importance; if you are truly in a difficult position, I am willing to lend a helping hand."

"Young Master Wang..." Pei Yu's voice was weak, "You now hold the reins of the court and are busy with countless affairs of state. Where do you find the time to teach at the academy? This... this is not something that can be done in a day or two."

"My father once taught me that learning has no end. Being a lecturer at the academy not only allows me to cultivate talent for the country, but also allows me to review and learn new things from the classics. It's a win-win situation, so why not?"

Pei Yu bowed deeply to Wang Jue, saying, "It is an honor for our academy that Young Master Wang would deign to teach here."

Wang Jue nodded slightly: "I dare not accept such praise. Arrange the time and have someone send a list of names to the Prince's residence. I shall take my leave now."

Pei Yu nodded respectfully and saw the person off.

……

When Xi Lingxian got out of bed early the next morning, she felt like a puppet that had been reassembled.

Yesterday I spent the whole day memorizing the college rules, until late at night, until my eyes were blurry and my mind was full of tiny characters.

She looked in the mirror and reminded herself, "You came of your own volition, no one forced you. If you back down now, you'll be laughed at to death."

The girl in the mirror looked at her expressionlessly, as if to say: You deserve it.

Shen Qingdai was already waiting at the door.

The two of them dragged their heavy steps toward the lecture hall.

Today's first lesson is history, taught by Xiao Yun.

As Xi Lingxian listened, her eyelids began to droop.

Making someone who has never learned anything since childhood start studying is truly the most torturous thing in the world!

woohoo~

After listening to a lecture that seemed to defy explanation, Xi Lingxian leaned against Shen Qingdai during a break, her gaze vacant.

I don't want to talk, I just want to be quiet.

Shen Qingdai wasn't much better off. "The next class is about studying the classics, and I still don't even know who the teacher is. I have a bad feeling about this."

Taozhi peeked in quickly, "Miss, I've made some snacks that you and Miss Shen like; be quiet, don't let Headmaster Gu find out."

The rules of the academy dictate that clothing and food should be kept simple, and scions of aristocratic families are not allowed to bring their extravagant lifestyles into the academy.

After delivering the items, Taozhi ran away as fast as she could when no one was looking.

"Hurry, hurry, I'm starving!"

The noble ladies usually eat small meals frequently, enjoy flowers and tea, so suddenly going to school to do half a day of homework is really too much for their physical strength.

Xi Lingxian didn't say anything. She picked up a piece of osmanthus cake, took a bite, then another, her cheeks puffed out, her eyes tired and vacant.

After finishing the two pastries, feeling somewhat comforted, Xi Lingxian shared some with the girls at the tables around her.

Rules are rules, but these are all pampered young ladies; who would really want to suddenly eat simple meals?

The noble ladies were all willing to accept this favor.

Xi Lingxian gave Xie Wanting a piece of pine nut and goose fat roll. Xie Wanting was so cute and normal that she didn't seem like a member of the Xie family.

She quite liked this little girl.

"Thank you, Sister Lingxian." Xie Wanting smiled sweetly.

Xie Wanru was so hungry that her stomach was upset, and the sweet and milky aroma of pastries had already made her drool.

But she still had her pride; she would rather starve than ask Xi Lingxian for food.

But since Xi Lingxian actually gave it to Wanting, she'll probably treat her politely...

In front of everyone, if she wanted to give it to her, she couldn't very well refuse to give her face.

Xie Wanru swallowed hard.

Xi Lingxian waved the box of pastries around among the people in her hand; she wasn't giving it to just anyone.

Those who never give her a friendly face or have a grudge against her, dreaming of eating her snacks!

Xie Wanru eagerly awaited the arrival of the pastry box, only to have it snatched away by Shen Qingdai.

"Alright, the rest is all for us. We won't have enough to eat if we give any more."

Shen Qingdai poured herself a cup of tea and looked up to grab another walnut pastry.

But then he saw something that made him freeze for a moment, and then he started coughing loudly.

"Eat slowly, don't choke." Xi Lingxian patted her to help her catch her breath.

Shen Qingdai coughed until her face turned red, and while coughing, she tugged at Xi Lingxian, her trembling fingers pointing at something indistinctly.

Xi Lingxian's brow furrowed, and a bad premonition suddenly rose in her heart.

She slowly turned around.

Then, the headmaster, Gu Yong, appeared at the school gate with his hands behind his back. He solemnly swept his gaze over the people in the school, and the school fell silent almost instantly.

If Gu Yong inspires fear and awe, then the handsome face behind him makes girls' hearts flutter.

Wang Jue held a scroll in his hand, dressed in white, with a handsome face and aloof features, staring at them expressionlessly.

The osmanthus cake in Xi Lingxian's mouth suddenly got stuck in her throat; her mind went blank, as if a thousand bees had flown out at the same time.

Gu Yong sniffed the air and said sternly, "Who's eating in the school?"

Xie Wanru pointed at Xi Lingxian almost without hesitation.

The snack box was still in his hand; there was no way to argue back.

Xi Lingxian silently shot Xie Wanru two sharp glances, thinking, "I won't let you eat anymore."

Xie Wanru scoffed, "Who cares?"

As Gu Yong was speaking, Wang Jue had already walked into the school.

"This is the Confucian scholar I have invited for you. Everyone knows the name of Young Master Wang, so I probably don't need to introduce him."

"The study of classics is the core course of the academy and is also the key to the monthly and year-end assessments. You must be diligent and rigorous and must not slack off."

His gaze lingered on Xi Lingxian.

Gu Yong let out a long sigh.

"Headmaster, leave this to me."

A clear, deep voice interrupted Gu Yong.

Gu Yong was taken aback. "Alright, Qingyu, you are young and promising. Your peers can only look up to you. No one would dare to disobey you if you discipline them."

"Get ready, class is about to begin."

Gu Yong strolled around for a while before slowly walking out and then went to inspect the other schools.

Shen Qingdai's smile was more like a grimace as she muttered, "Good heavens, when did he become so free?"

Xi Lingxian's expression froze, and she remained stunned for a long time before she could react.

The handsome man walked up to her and said, "The school rules stipulate that eating and drinking are not allowed in the school. You are hereby punished to copy three ancient maxims."

"..."